I want to second the comments of Kavan Ratnatunga. I've appealed to various Krause Publications staffers over the years to split all NCLT coins off into their own volume, so that the general catalogs will be limited to "real" coins that actually serve or have served as currency. Unfortunately, it seems that the modern "fantasy" coins are driving the coin market to a large extent. Witness the chaos that prevailed during the ANA convention, as people having no interest in numismatics bought up most of the gold Kennedy Halves to flip for quick profits.

A footnote to the excellent review of the United Daughters of the Confederacy World War II Cross. This was designed by the late Chester L. Beach (then of Brewster, NY and New York City). Beach designed such U.S. commemoratives as the Monroe Doctrine, Hudson NY and Hawaiian half dollars. This surviving files are (I believe) at the ANS. Stack's handled the Beach estate's models, sketches, medals a few years ago, catalogued by me. The poor sculptor had more grief, fussing and double-think over the UDC cross than any other commission except the Hawaiian.

When I saw the silver-plated 1977 British 2 Cent piece from the last edition of the E-Sylum, I remembered a coin that I have in my collection: a 1872 Newfoundland One Cent, that is also silver-plated. I acquired it from a Brazilian Numismatic Association auction about an year ago. In 1872, the Queen Victoria celebrated her 35th anniversary as Queen. Does it have anything to do with the fact that this coin is silver-plated? I don't know the answer, but it's a really interesting item.

The Queen's Silver Jubilee was that year (1977). It could be that some plating companies made them to hand out as keepsakes or souvenirs. Some might even have been sold on to tourists :)

"Circa 1840's, Bechtler $5 Gold Contemporary Counterfeit. Struck in copper with a gold wash. Fine [uncertified]"

Georgia Gold, 128 grains type. Purchased as genuine by a dealer, this coin is a rare but known contemporary territorial gold coin. So unusual that most dealers and advanced collectors have never even seen or laid eyes on one.